Among those who will receive America's highest civilian honor from outgoing President Joe Biden are Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, U2 singer Bono, and billionaire George Soros.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom will be awarded to 19 people this year, including cultural icons, politicians and activists.
The White House said they were chosen because they are “good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.”
Biden will present the medals at the White House at a ceremony on Saturday.
Bonowhose real name is Paul David Hewson, has already been awarded France's highest cultural honor and has been awarded an honorary knighthood.
He is known for his campaigns against poverty and support for people living with HIV/AIDS.
WintourA major player in fashion, he has served as editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988, and among other charities has helped raise more than $20 million for AIDS research.
She too Collect money For UK arts organizations following funding cuts in 2022.
Billionaire philanthropist and major donor to the Democrats George Soros And the American politician Hillary Clinton They are also among the recipients.
In 2018, Soros, a Hungarian-born financier, He was one of the prominent Donald Trump critics who was targeted by the mail bomber.
Clinton, a former US Secretary of State, will receive the award a few weeks before her former political rival is sworn in as president. She lost to Trump in the 2016 elections.
Notable cultural figures – including actors Denzel Washington and Michael J Fox – He will receive the medal alongside the football star Lionel Messiretired Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Earvin “Magic” Johnson And fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
Founder of the American Film Institute George Stevens Jr and former Kennedy Center President David Rubinstein They are among the regiment of medalists.
Other recipients include a humanitarian worker and a chef Jose Andreswhose World Central Kitchen has helped provide food to civilians in war zones and areas affected by natural disasters; Famous British conservationist Jane Goodall And science teacher Bill Nye.
Former US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedyformer Minister of Defense Ash Cartercivil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer And former governor of Michigan George W. Romney He will receive the award posthumously.
The medal was created under former President John F. Kennedy and is awarded at the discretion of the president with the advice of an outside advisory committee.
Previous winners of the award include the most decorated gymnast of all time, Simone Biles, Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh and Apple founder Steve Jobs.
